Eligible, Available, and Sitting

[Rich]

Remember Hoosiers where Gene Hackman sits out the kid that won't pass and plays with four players?

I agree with Mregor.

I pride myself in being knowlegable in the rules, but there are times and situation where common sense must rule the day.

If a coach doesn't want to play a player, I'm not forcing it for any reason. The only person/team put at a disadvantage in this situation is the team playing shorthanded. If it's OK for that coach, it's OK for me -- regardless of the level.

And if there is a quarter rule involved (which we are not charged with enforcing in most jurisdictions), we don't want to try to dictate coach's decisions that tie the team up later.

How about this situation?

(1) Player has used up all eligibility (quarters) and is on the bench (with fouls remaining). Since the game officials aren't concerned with enforcing this type of rule, what's the difference between this and the original situation?

Rich